Vehicle roof

ABSTRACT

A vehicle roof, comprising an opening roof panel, which can be moved from a first, closed roof position into a second, fully opened roof position, the roof panel being held essentially parallel to the rest of the vehicle roof and at a distance from the rest of the vehicle roof in the second roof position; a lateral guide, the roof panel being guided at least during a part of an opening movement on the guide; a third, partially opened roof position in which the roof panel is held in a position that is essentially inclined with respect to the rest of the vehicle roof, rising counter to the direction of travel; and an elevating means for elevating a front edge area of the roof panel.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle roof, comprising an openingroof panel, which can be moved from a first, closed roof position into asecond, fully opened roof position, the roof panel being heldessentially parallel to the rest of the vehicle roof and at a distancefrom the rest of the vehicle roof in the second roof position, and alateral guide, the roof panel being guided at least during a part of anopening movement on the guide

[0002] In modern vehicle construction there is a demand for roofs thatcan be partially opened, giving the largest possible roof opening. Thisaffords the vehicle user driving pleasure comparable to that obtainablewith the roof of a full convertible without the disadvantages associatedwith roofs of such convertibles.

[0003] DE 42 38 944 C1 describes a vehicle roof that can be opened andin which an extensive roof panel in a rear area is guided by means ofguide pins in guides which are formed in a roof luggage rail. Whenopening the roof, the roof panel can first be moved by means of adeployment lever into an intermediate position raised at the rear inwhich the roof panel assumes an inclined position. On reaching theintermediate position, the roof panel can be displaced into a fullyopened position toward the rear of the vehicle, the inclination of theroof panel being maintained. This has the disadvantage that theinclination of the roof panel fundamentally prevents the roof panelbeing displaced by its full length. The proposed solution to this,however, which involves disengaging the deployment lever from the roofpanel in the course of the roof opening sequence in order to achieve thegreatest possible travel, can also impair the reliability of the drivemechanism due to the increasing mechanical tolerances that occur in use.Furthermore, the proposed vehicle roof does not permit additionalpositions of the roof panel such as a raised, opened position parallelto the rest of the roof.

[0004] DE 42 27 400 C2 describes an opening roof part guided on a guiderail which is formed in the manner of a roof rail, parts of a drivingdevice for the roof part beeing arranged outside a sealed inner space ofthe vehicle even with the roof part closed, hence those parts of thedriving device being unprotected from weather impact.

[0005] DE 195 25 839 C1 describes an an opening roof part guided on aguide rail which is formed in the manner of a roof rail, it beeingimpossible to move the roof part by ist entire length due to an inclinedposition of the roof part.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the invention is to specify a vehicle roof in whicha maximum and at the same time versatile opening of the roof can beachieved.

[0007] This and other objects are achieved by the invention.

[0008] A vehicle roof according to the invention comprises an openingroof panel, which can be moved from a first, closed roof position into asecond, fully opened roof position, the roof panel being heldessentially parallel to the rest of the vehicle roof and at a distancefrom the rest of the vehicle roof in the second roof position; a lateralguide, the roof panel being guided at least during a part of an openingmovement on the guide; a third, partially opened roof position in whichthe roof panel is held in a position that is essentially inclined withrespect to the rest of the vehicle roof, rising counter to the directionof travel; and an elevating means for elevating a front edge area of theroof panel.

[0009] This achieves the advantage that any inclination of the moveableroof panel does not restrict its travel when it is run from the closedposition into the fully opened position, so that an especially largeroof opening is ultimately possible. A means of elevating a front edgearea of the roof panel is provided, so that by operating the elevatingmeans the roof panel can assume a position parallel to the rest of theroof and at a distance therefrom.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the roof panel is advantageouslyconnected to a first slide element moveably accommodated in a guide railand the elevating means comprises a telescopic guide and a control leverhaving a slotted link and pivotally connected to a second slide element,so that the front edge area of the roof panel can be elevated by simplemechanical means. In particular, the elevation of the front edge areacan be accomplished in that the roof panel is forcibly carried by amovement of the first slide element in relation to the second slideelement, the second slide element being releasably held by means of acatch lever and capable of being releasably fixed to the first slideelement by means of a coupling element.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention afourth, partially opened roof position is furthermore provided, in whichthe roof panel is held in a position essentially parallel to the rest ofthe vehicle roof and at a distance from the rest of the vehicle roof.This creates, in addition to the third, inclined position, a ventilationposition of the roof, which is available as an alternative depending onthe road speed and weather conditions.

[0012] The lateral guides are formed, for particular preference, on railelements which stand proud of a surface of the vehicle roof in themanner of roof luggage rails. This represents a simple way of ensuring asignificant lift of the roof panel in its rear end area whilst ensuringa secure guide and mounting.

[0013] A guide element supporting the roof panel on the guides andmoveable in the guides is preferably moveable in relation to the roofpanel. The rear end area of the roof panel can thereby be easily raisedby movement of the guide elements, without the need to move the roofpanel itself rearward.

[0014] An especially preferred embodiment of a vehicle roof according tothe invention comprises a guide element which is assigned to the lateralguides and can be moved in relation to the roof panel by means of a pushrod, a simple actuation of the push rod for elevating a rear edge areaof the vehicle roof preferably being achievable in that the push rod isoperatively connected to the first slide element.

[0015] In order to achieve automatic driving of the vehicle roof, thefirst slide element can advantageously be driven in particular by aBowden cable that is capable of transmitting both push and pull forces.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of a vehicle roof according to theinvention a further, non-opening, transparent roof element is arrangedbehind the roof panel, so that an especially large overall roof area istransparent.

[0017] A vehicle roof according to the invention preferably has adriveable, opening anti-glare device, which for particular preferencecomprises a first driveable reel and a second driveable reel. In thisway multiple sections of the vehicle roof can be separately covered orexposed.

[0018] In an especially preferred embodiment of a vehicle roof accordingto the invention a pivotable wind deflector is furthermore provided onthe vehicle roof so that air vortices in the area of the opened roof andcorresponding wind noises are effectively reduced. Raising of the winddeflector can preferably be controlled automatically by an openingmovement of the roof panel. In an especially simple and thereforeadvantageous embodiment the wind deflector is operatively connected to acontrol lever, the control lever at the same time driving the roof panelwhen raising it. In a simple mechanical embodiment the control lever canbe disengaged from the wind deflector when opening the roof panel.

[0019] Further advantages and features of the vehicle roof according tothe invention are set forth in the example of an embodiment describedbelow and in the dependent claims.

[0020] A preferred example of an embodiment of a vehicle roof accordingto the invention is described below and explained in more detail withreference to the drawings attached.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 shows a schematic, perspective top view of a vehicle roofaccording to the invention in a fully opened position.

[0022]FIG. 2 shows the vehicle roof of FIG. 1 in a partially openedposition.

[0023]FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of guide rails for the vehicleroof of FIG. 1.

[0024]FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a part of a drive mechanism forthe vehicle roof according to the invention in a closed position.

[0025]FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a part of the drive mechanismof FIG. 4 omitting some components.

[0026]FIG. 6 shows a rear perspective view of the drive mechanism ofFIG. 5.

[0027]FIG. 7 shows a plain view of the drive mechanism of FIG. 5 fromthe side.

[0028]FIG. 8 shows the drive mechanism in FIG. 7 in an inclinedventilation position.

[0029]FIG. 9 shows the drive mechanism of FIG. 7 in a fully openedposition.

[0030]FIG. 10 shows a perspective, detailed view of a guide element forguiding a rear edge area of the opening roof panel.

[0031]FIG. 11 shows a view of an anti-glare device, in the form of atwo-part reel, for the vehicle roof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0032] The vehicle roof according to the invention comprises a moveable,opening roof panel 1, which is prefereably composed of glass or atransparent plastic and is arranged in front of a likewise transparent,non-opening roof element 2 when the roof is in a closed position. Theroof panel 1 comprises a support element 1 a, preferably composed ofmetal, to which it is fixed by means of fasteners.

[0033] In the vehicle longitudinal direction the mechanism of thevehicle roof is of essentially symmetrical design on each of the twovehicle sides, so that only one side will be described.

[0034] The support element 1 a of the roof panel 1 is essentiallydesigned as a profiled rail with a push rod 3, which is moveably guidedin the support element 1 a, passing through it. A guide element 3 a,which is accommodated and guided so that it can slide in a lateral guide4 a of a rail element 4 in the form of a roof luggage rail, is formed ata rear end of the push rod 3. The rail element 4 comprises a rear railarea 4 b, in which the guide 4 a runs straight and essentiallyhorizontally, and a centre foot 4 c, in which the guide 4 a assumes aninclined path and in the closed state terminates in a rear end area ofthe roof panel 1. FIG. 10, in particular, shows that the guide element 3a can be moved by the push rod 3 inside a recess 3 b provided in thesupport element 1 a.

[0035] A front end area of the support element 1 a is articulated at oneend of an elongate control lever 5. The control lever 5 has a multiplywoundly slofted link 5 a, which is formed as a slotted opening in thecontrol lever 5.

[0036] A first slide element 6 has a link pin 6 a, which engages in theslotted link 5 a of the control lever 5. At its end opposite thearticulation of the support element 1 a, the control lever 5 isarticulated on a second slide element 7.

[0037] A lower half 8 a of a telescopic guide 8 is fixed to the firstslide element 6. An upper half 8 b of the telescopic guide 8 isaccommodated on the lower half 8 a so that it is displaceable in anessentially vertical direction in relation to the latter. The upper half8 b of the telescopic guide 8 is articulated on a front end of the pushrod 3 projecting from the support element 1 a that guides the push rod3. In total, the telescopic guide 8 with ist connected parts forms outan elevating means 5, 6, 7, 8 for elevating a front region of the roofpanel 1. This elevating means is independent from the rail element 4which is responsible for an elevation of a rear region of the roof panel1. Thereby the elevating means 5, 6, 7, 8 according to the invention aswell as the driving cables, driving motors (not shown) and major partsof the roof mechanism can be arranged such that those parts are notexposed to weather influence in a closed state of the roof panel 1. Inthe closed state, those parts are arranged within the inner space of thevehicle with respect to seals of the roof part.

[0038] Both the first slide element 6 and the second slide element 7 areeach held in a guide rail 9 aligned essentially in a horizontaldirection. The guide rail 9 is profiled so that the slide elements 6, 7are each moveable in the longitudinal direction of the rail, the firstslide element 6 being arranged in front of the second slide element 7 inthe direction of travel. On lateral areas of a roof openingcorresponding which corresponds to the roof panel 1, the guide rail 9 isimmovably fixed in relation to the rest of the vehicle body.

[0039] A bearing bracket 10 is immovably fixed to the guide rail 9, thebearing bracket being situated in front of the second slide element 7 inthe direction of travel. A catch lever, which with a hook-shaped end 10a can engage in a corresponding extension 7 a of the second slideelement, is articulated on the bearing bracket 10. The catch lever 10moreover has a cam 10 b, which is capable of interacting with acorresponding extension of the first slide element 6.

[0040] An essentially hook-shaped coupling element 11 is articulated onthe second slide element 7, a hook-shaped end of the coupling element 11being capable of interacting with a corresponding recess of the firstslide element 6.

[0041] A raisable wind deflector 13 is arranged in front of the roofpanel 1 in the direction of travel and is articulated on the body of thevehicle or on a front edge of the roof opening. A wind deflector lever13 a is articulated at one end on the bearing bracket 10, a carrierplate 13 b being articulated by way of a guide slot on the other end ofthe wind deflector lever. The wind deflector lever 13 is in turnconnected to the deployment lever 5 by way of a drive block 14, carriedso that it slides on the former lever.

[0042] The first slide element is connected to a driving cable, which iscapable of transmitting both push and pull forces, so that the firstslide element can be moved along the guide rail 9 driven by the drivingcable.

[0043] In a preferred development of the vehicle roof a driveable,opening anti-glare device is furthermore provided. This anti-glaredevice comprises a first driveable reel 15 and a second driveable reel16, which are each provided in reel holders 15 a, 16 a fitted to theguide rails 9. The reels 15, 16 are carried in the guide rails 9.

[0044] The invention now functions as follows:

[0045] With the roof closed, the push rod 3 is maximally displaced inthe direction of travel relative to the support element 1 a (see FIG.10), so that the guide elements 3 a are at minimum elevation in the areaof the centre foot 4 c of the roof luggage rail 4.

[0046] Starting from an arrangement of the mechanism as shown in FIG. 7,in the course of an opening movement of the roof panel 1 the first slideelement 6 is now first displaced toward the rear of the vehicle by meansof the driving cable fitted to it. Through the interaction of the linkpin 6 a with the slotted link 5 a in the area of a first bend 15 a inthe slotted link 5 a of the control lever 5, the roof panel 1 or thesupport 1 a is slightly elevated in its front edge area, so that theroof panel 1 separates from its seals. At the same time a rear edge areaof the roof panel 1 is also slightly elevated by the guide element 3 amoving slightly upward in the guide 4 a of the rail element 4 in thearea of the centre foot 4 c.

[0047] Once this slight initial movement section to release the seal hasbeen exceeded, the link pin 3 a passes through a straight, level area 15b of the slotted link 5 a, the front edge area of the roof panel 1thereby not being elevated further. At the same time the guide element 3a performs the remainder of its travel relative to the support element 1a and hence to the roof panel 1 in the recess 3 b and a further upwardlyinclined part of the guide 4 a, so that the roof panel 1 is elevatedfurther in its rear edge area without the roof panel 1 as a whole movingtoward the rear of the vehicle. A ventilation position of the roof panel1 is accordingly attained (see FIG. 8), in which the roof panel isessentially raised in its rear edge area and overall is inclineddownward in the direction of travel.

[0048] In a further movement of the first slide element 6 counter to thedirection of travel, the link pin now passes through a straight,inclined area 15 c of the slotted link 5 a, as a result of which thecontrol lever 5 forces the front end of the support element 1 a andhence the front edge area of the roof panel 1 upward. In the process thetelescopic guide 8 connecting the support element 1 a and the firstslide element 6 is extended.

[0049] This also causes the control lever 5, the drive block 14 and thewind deflector lever 13 a to execute a lifting movement of the winddeflector 13, the wind deflector 13 being held spring-loaded in itsraised position by a coil spring (not shown), once the control lever 5disengages from the drive block 14, which has an open guide slot, in thefurther course of an opening movement.

[0050] The roof panel 1 is not fully displaced in its entirety towardthe rear of the vehicle until such time as an essentially horizontal,elevated position of the roof panel 1 is reached, since the second slideelement 7 is still secured by the catch lever 12 as at the start of theopening movement.

[0051] In the position shown in FIG. 9 the first slide element 6 finallyencounters the second slide element 7, the first slide elementpreviously having run over the cam 12 b of the catch lever 12 andelevated the catch lever 12 in order to release the second slide element7.

[0052] Once the two slide elements 6, 7 have together travelled beyondthe starting position of the second slide element 7 the coupling element11 is furthermore released, which thereby engages in a correspondingrecess in the first slide element. In the subsequent closing movement ofthe vehicle roof, this engagement allows the second slide element to bealso carried in this direction by the single driven first slide element6. Attainment of the starting position of the second slide element 7during the closing movement again leads to a release of the first slideelement due to the coupling element 11 encountering a corresponding stopin the vicinity of the bearing bracket 10.

[0053] The position of the drive mechanism of the vehicle roof accordingto the invention shown in FIG. 9 therefore corresponds to a fully openedposition of the roof panel 1 (see FIG. 1 for example) and also to apartially opened position in which the roof panel 1 has been onlypartially moved toward the rear of the vehicle and is disposedessentially parallel and elevated in relation to the rest of the vehicleroof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle roof, comprising an opening roof panel,which can be moved from a first, closed roof position into a second,fully opened roof position, the roof panel being held essentiallyparallel to the rest of the vehicle roof and at a distance from the restof the vehicle roof in the second roof position; a lateral guide, theroof panel being guided at least during a part of an opening movement onthe guide; a third, partially opened roof position in which the roofpanel is held in a position that is essentially inclined with respect tothe rest of the vehicle roof, rising counter to the direction of travel;and an elevating means for elevating a front edge area of the roofpanel.
 2. The vehicle roof as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fourth,partially opened roof position is provided, in which the roof panel isheld in a position essentially parallel to the rest of the vehicle roofand at a distance from the rest of the vehicle roof.
 3. The vehicle roofas claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral guide is formed on a railelement, which stands proud of a surface of the vehicle roof.
 4. Thevehicle roof as claimed in claim 1, wherein a guide element supportingthe roof panel on the -guide and moveable in the guide is provided, theguide element being moveable in relation to the roof panel.
 5. Thevehicle roof as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elevating meanscomprises a telescopic guide.
 6. The vehicle roof as claimed in claim 5,wherein the roof panel is connected to a first slide element which isaccommodated so that it can move in a guide rail.
 7. The vehicle roof asclaimed in claim 6, wherein the elevating means (5, 6, 8) comprises acontrol lever.
 8. The vehicle roof as claimed in claim 7, wherein thecontrol lever is pivotally connected to a second slide element and has aslotted link.
 9. The vehicle roof as claimed in claim 8, wherein thesecond slide element is releasably held by means of a catch lever andcan be releasably fixed to the first slide element by means of acoupling element.
 10. The vehicle roof as claimed in claim 6, whereinthe first slide element is connected by means of a push rod to a guideelement assigned to the lateral guide, the guide element being moveablein relation to the roof panel.
 11. The vehicle roof as claimed in claims7, wherein the movement of the first slide element can be driven. 12.The vehicle roof as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first slide.element can be driven by means of a driving cable that is capable oftransmitting both push and pull forces.
 13. The vehicle roof as claimedin claims 1, wherein a non-opening, transparent roof element is arrangedbehind the roof panel in the direction of travel.
 14. The vehicle roofas claimed in claim 1, wherein a driveable, opening anti-glare device(15, 16) is provided on the vehicle roof.
 15. The vehicle roof asclaimed in claim 14, wherein the anti-glare device comprises a firstdriveable reel and a second driveable reel.
 16. The vehicle roof asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle roof comprises a holder whichcan be pre-assembled, which can be inserted into an opening in thevehicle roof corresponding to the holder.
 17. The vehicle roof asclaimed in claim 1, wherein a pivotable wind deflector is provided onthe vehicle roof.
 18. The vehicle roof as claimed in claim 17, whereinthe wind deflector can be raised by an opening movement of the roofpanel in a positively controlled manner.
 19. The vehicle roof as claimedin claim 18, wherein the wind deflector is operatively connected to acontrol lever, the control lever at the same time driving the roof panelwhen raising it.
 20. The vehicle roof as claimed in claim 20, whereinthe control lever can be disengaged from the wind deflector when opeinngthe roof panel.